is ms related to fibromyalgia?

Answer 1

It's amazing to read the other answers!!! Some are partially right, and some are wrong!! First of all, there is no evidence that MS is genetic. Secondly, MS and fibro are both what is called "autoimmune" (AI) diseases or conditions.

Thirdly, they share some symptoms in common, and with other autoimmune diseases like Lupus, CFS, and others.

Before I continue, here are my qualifications for providing you with this answer:

1) I've successfully managed the symptoms of MS for over 45 years.
2) I was an HR Executive for over 30+ years, and combined my professional and personal expertise in creating a website dedicated to assisting folks with "chronic disease symptoms" better document, communicate, corroborate, and manage their symptoms and the resulting impairments to become expert patients; chronic disease self-managers; and, partner with their doctors to practice patient-centered health care.

http://www.disabilitykey.com

My website contains tons of information in 2 blogs, downloadable free articles and self-help ebooklets, and the Disabilitykey Workbook which contains over 100 pages of how to processes and actual forms - blank and completed examples - to assist folks. This workbook is available for a very small price (under $10).

There are TONS of symptoms that "cross" over with AI diseases. AND, the more precise you are, the better your doctors can help you.

As of this time, the 2 diagnostic tests for MS are: 1) MRI to identify the presence of "lesions" - places of demylenation on nerves somewhere in the brain and/or spinal column; and 2) Spinal Tap to identify the presence of mylin in the spinal fluid - as a result of nerve demylenation!!

So, if you document your symptoms, you are better prepared to discuss with your doctors the need to have an MRI and/or a Spinal Tap to either receive a positive DX or MS, or an exclusion of MS.

Either way, the meds listed for symptom management are used REGARDLESS of the DX leading to those symptoms!!!! THAT's why I strongly stress the documentation of SYMPTOMS, and not just a "disease".!!!! Just because someone has a DX, that DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME SYMPTOM, NOR THE SAME LEVEL of impact by that symptom.

For example: I now have symptoms that dovetail with a DX of Parkinson's Disease, and Reynaud's Syndrome. These would be secandary DX to my MAIN Dx of MS. BUT, because my PCP and Neorudude (to quote The Major!!) know all my symptoms, they can assist me treat - and, therefore, better manage - these "new" symptoms - WITHOUT HAVING TO WORRY SPECIFICALLY ABOUT A DIAGNOSIS, PER SE!!!!

AND, for almost all purposes, it isn't the DX, pre se, but the symptoms and their impacat on your normal daily living activities that trigger either management techniques, or disability insurance resources, etc.!!!

Here's a blog that I did that discusses not only the top 22 MS symptoms, but what - at least a year ago - were the top medications used to help you better manage those symptoms. The reason that I like this list of symptoms and their associated "management aids" is that precisely because MS has so many symptoms, you may need to take some time to do some "introspection" to figure out which TYPE of symptom do you haave!! For example: do you have "plain vanilla" depression, or do you have depression coupled with either pain or fatigue? The management aids for the 3 different "types" of depression are different; so, the more precise and specific you can become shen documenting both your symptoms and how they impair you so that you can better inform your doctor, the better your doctor can assist you with symptom management!!

So, your Doctor tells you that you have a disease. You know that you have symptoms that impair you in your every day life, but you want your Doctor to give you something to make the pain/symptom go away!

What is the best medication for your symptoms, for your illness? Remember, only your Doctor can help you. However, the better informed that you are about what is out there, the better you can discuss alternatives with your Doctor(s).

The following information comes from the National MS Society website. And, while they are MS symptoms, they are also found in other AI diseases.

Now, most disease medication lists start with the brand name first, with the SYMPTOM that it is to address almost as an after thought. BUT, we, the patients, start with the symptom first, so that's how I have decided to sort the medications. Here goes. Products available without a prescription are so indicated (+).

Once again, this will provide you with information to discuss with your Doctor. By having options of medications for a symptom, you and your Doctor can discuss which treatment would be best for you, given your other symptoms, your specific condition, and any other factors that only your Doctor can know. And, if you do not know what the symptom means (I'm not sure that I know what "Paroxysmal itching" is) you can ask your Doctor, and learn something new!


Fatigue: Amantadine; Cylert; Provigil

Spasticity: Baclofen; Dantrium; Intrathecal Baclofen (ITB Therapy); Valium (muscle spasms); Zanaflex

Constipation: Mineral oil (+); Colace (Docusate (+)); Dulcolax (Bisacodyl (+)); Enemeez Mini Enema (Docusate stool softener laxative (+)); Fleet Enema (Sodium phosphate (+)); Metamucil (Psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid (+)); Phillips' Milk of Magnesia (Magnesium hydroxide (+)); Sani-Supp suppository (US) (Glycerin (+))

Erectile dysfunction: Papaverine; Cialis; Levitra; MUSE; Prostin VR; Viagra

Nausea; Vomiting; Dizziness: Antivert (US), Bonamine (Can)

Paroxysmal itching: Atarax

Disease-modifying agent: Avonex; Betaseron; Copaxone; Novantrone; Rebif;

Urinary tract infections: Bactrim; Septra; Cipro; Macrodantin

Urinary tract infections: (preventative) Hiprex, Mandelamine (US); Hip-rex, Mandelamine (Can)

Urinary tract infections (symptom relief): Pyridium

Urinary frequency: DDAVP Nasal Spray; DDAVP Tablets

Bladder dysfunction: Detrol (US); Ditropan; Ditropan XL; Oxytrol (Oxybutynin Transdermal System); Pro-Banthine; Sanctura; Vesicare (US)

Bladder dysfunction; Pain: Tofranil

Depression: Effexor; Paxil; Wellbutrin; Zoloft

Depression, Pain (neuropathic): Cymbalta

Depression; Fatigue: Prozac

Tremor: Laniazid; Nydrazid

Tremor; Pain; Spasticity: Klonopin (US), Rivotril (Can)

Acute exacerbations: Decadron; Deltasone; H.P. Acthar Gel; Solu-Medrol

Pain (dyesthesias): Dilantin; Neurontin

Pain (paresthesias): Elavil; Pamelor (US), Aventyl (Can)

Pain (trigeminal neuralgia): Tegretol

Now that you have read all 22 categories of Multiple Sclerosis symptoms that HAVE a medication that might mitigate it, and know of many others that have no associated medication, I'll bet that you are asking yourself how do I make the link between knowing that I have one or more of these, and explaining how this symptom impairs me? If you have these questions, please check out our website at http://www.disabilitykey.com.

Also, please feel free to im me or email me by clicking on my Yahoo name.


Finally, here are some suggestions to help your drs figure out what disease/condition you might have :

1) Document your symptoms and their impairments.

2) Visit the virtual village website: http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com. In addition to lots of generic supportive forums, there are forums specifically designated to different types of AI diseases. You can browse through them and see if what you have might be what you see contained therein.

3) Then, go to see your doctor, better prepared to partner with him/her in getting you a diagnosis not only for your "condition", but for medications and/or other suggestions for "managing" your symptoms.

Finally, please feel free to contact me by clicking onto my Yahoo name and email me with additional questions along your process of discovery.

Best wishes.

Answer 2

Yes they are both related but somewhat different. Each disease has chronic fatigue syndrome and both deal with muscle and nerves. They say a high fiber diet will help the disease but will not cure it. They are both incurables diseases. They can be debilitating and interfere with your life and work. It is painful and every day is different. You don't have the same thing everyday. It moves all over your body. It can make you really depressed, dealing with all the pain, tired and unsocialable with society.
Taking pain pills will help during your flares and also calcium, magnesium and zinc. Magnesium for the pain.
I know this because I have been living with this for 10 years and every day is a battle. You never know what each day will bring, that's why I take one day at a time. Some days, one minute at a time.
Hope this helps and good luck to you!!

Answer 3

Nope, not at all.
MS is multiple sclerosis, which is genetic and involves deterioration of nerve and muscles in the body.
Fibromyalgia is not well understood, but is likely some form of auto-immune disorder.

Answer 4

Not even remotely.

MS is a neurological disorder. Fibromyalgia is a muscular disorder.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

Nope I have ms and my cousin has fibromyaglia. Very different.

Answer 7

No, it is more related to Chronic Fatigue

Answer 8

NO!